Washington Park area residents are starting to get an idea of what will be the village’s best park.
Two play areas, a pavilion, and the fountain get ready for final touches.
Along Franklin, the terraced viewing areas patiently await fans.
A fantastic place to watch kid's soccer that will help blunt problems from heavy rains. Sadly, we lost some mature trees to the left of this photo...
...but happily saved most of them along Prairie.
Click on any photo for a larger version.
This cooperative project is one of three between the village and the Park District. There’s another retention area being built into the north east corner of McCullom Park does not have the dramatic whole-park reconstruction. There, the hoops have been moved and are being used heavily at their new location. Bonus: easier to monitor and more visible to the public.
Sterling Park North is the third area, and challenges there have delayed construction. Soil testing and pre-construction continue this year.
Washington Park looks like it will be finished and on-line this year. After weeks and weeks filled with the rumble and noise of thousands of trucks, residents were sorely tested. When the plans were first unveiled two years ago it looked like an award winner, and right now it’s looking to be a fantastic addition to the neighborhood, the envy of Downers Grove and the surrounding communities.
This will also attract national attention as an innovative dual-purpose public facility built into an existing older neighborhood, and in turn helping publicize DG to the world outside our doorstep as, oh, say a great place to live and work…and play.
Both locations seem to be turning into unsitely abandon work sites. There has been ZERO activity at the McCullum Park work site since early April. I rode my bike there today, and it seems like the entire project has been abandon. The only work I have seen recently at Washington Park has been tree and bush installation but a lot of infrastructure work remains incomplete with the huge unsitely weeded dirt hill on Elm and Franklin. I can’t imagine that residents in these two neighborhood enjoy seeing these incomplete projects with weeds growing all around the fenced in area as well as the overall construction site where no work is being done. Someone should call PW and ask what the deal is and see if it’s a money issue. I would think that the village is fining the contractor for unkept deadlines and lack of completed milestones for each location. It’s embarrasing as a resident to have both of these huge award winning parks look so unkept. Not to mention other parts of McCullum falling apart. No water fountains working. Is our Village, the PD and PW all broke? I know things are tight but seriously.
I agree the improvements look good. I just wonder – given that one of the dual purposes is stormwater retention – how often will it be flooded?
Washington Park has been buzzing with activity daily. Trucks roaring through every day from 7am on – the play equipment is up, the pavillion is up and the majority of the concrete poured. I can’t wait to see the fountain running. It’s starting to look a lot like a park! I assume the big dirt hill will be used for the landscaping of the park. The Park District has kept us informed of the stages of the work through some informative flyers left at the door. My little one went wild when she saw the play equipment up. We keep calling it “her new park”. When I first saw the plans I thought “now that is too much, the PD is nuts and we will lose trees” but now that the end is near I think it’s looking great. My basement bleach mop will appreciate the break too!
Sure looks like a lot of concrete for a park…but i’m sure in the end it will be a nice place.
In two years that concrete will be in disrepair and poorly maintained like most everything around here. The landscaping will be unkempt and the power lines surrounding the park will still ruin the setting.
KellyDGM:
Wish I could say the same for McCullum. it looks terrible. Even the Viollage Construction updates page has it slated to be finished Mid May. The trucks and dirt you have been seeing at Washington are for landscaping only. it seems the infrasctructure, fencing, play equipment, storm drain basin have all been on hold for some time. it will be a nice park once finished for sure.
As some have accurately noted, there is a lot of concrete at Washington Park. Certainly sloping grassy hills would have been cheaper. The lower areas are highly engineered dry bottom storage areas, designed to hold specific amounts of storm-water run-off for specific periods of time.
McCullom had another change order last week to accommodate how the PD core aerates grassy areas.
It has been a “fits and starts” learning curve. Fixing storm-water problems after the fact is fiendishly complicated and expensive- all the more reason it needs to be addressed proactively in the future.
Thanks for the update Mark T. I live right by McCollom and the lack of progress is disheartening.
But contrary to the negativity expressed by some people, our park is well-used and well-loved. Having recently lived elsewhere where the parks look brand new because nobody uses them, I am thrilled to see every ball field, volleyball court, horseshoe pit and playground being used. Even under construction, it is full of life and energy and people.
I don’t understand why people have to have this glum “everything sucks around here” attitude.
I agree with Doug. Mark, thanks for the update and the input. Call Jim Tock, the Project Manager for McCullom and ask him why work has come to a halt there since early April and why they haven’t updated the village construction updates web site tio reflect the said change order or any other official issues witht he progress to complete the project on time. It’s a real shame our Village Parks are in this state of disrepair. I had heard a rumor that at Doehoffer Park there is a very expensive solor garbage can of some sort that cost the village 5K to have installed yet McCullum has water fountains that rarely work and grounds that are unkept around the play area.
The issue I have just learned is that there are some questions regarding the height of the drainage pipes for storm water which are set rather high. This is a problem because the PD wants to do deep core aeration from time to time in the new field and the drains are too high for that. Now it becomes a question as to who pays for the change order, either the PD or the Village. Regardless they need to resolve the issue, get it fixed and complete the project ASAP. The communty and surrounding neighbors are waiting.
This Gelwicks Gang looks completely out of control. $50,000 to a private pool for 3 months use. How’s ticket sales going ?? Over $600,000 for a repo-ed hovel, and how may $100k’s for “plans”.
I plan to do most of my spending in Will Co. and Chicago, the DuPay crowd is out of control.
Sue:
If your reffering to any of my posts about the park issue, let me clarify that It’s not meant to be “glum” or “everything sucks” . KIt ‘s just me pointing out the lack of progress from our local government on large scale expensive projects where it relates to neighborhoods, facilities, and services. The lack of transparency about the real issue related to McCullum Park is disheartening to say the least. You would think the Village’s weekly updates where it lists construction updates would have at least an update progress report. Other residnets and readers of this blog have been calling village officials about specific items related to weeds , torn down houses, etc why not me being able to call out an issue like the lack of progress on such a large scale project like our parks. McCullum does have a lot of life and people , kids and families are there every day, however, a large section of that park is closed down and is seen as a hazord to many on biles trying to navigatre around the fencing and gravel spread around the corner and through the grass and bike path. All I am saying is get Er done for the sake of the village ,park and neighbors !
I think the PD was going for an upscale urban look with Washington Park, hence the concrete and fewer grassy areas to just sit. The north end of the park reminds me of some of the smaller parks in Chicago. I suspect that Olmstead would disagree.
Long term the concrete is much less cost effective to maintain. Lots of repairs, cracks, settling, weathering vs. grass , park friendly gravel/pavers or just good old grass. Still don’t understand why so much of the actual construction of that park has been left unattended for several weeks. Like the large fence poles just sticking out of the ground and the basin on the south east end just sitting there with the pile of dirt. It’ll be very nice if it ever get’s finished hopefully by mid summer. I bet they miss the July 1st deadline that has been reset several times.
I walked over today to take a long look at the new play equipment and I really like it.
I am excited that Washington Park is near completion. Park folks, stop by for a chat. I have cookies.
I live less than a 90 second stroll from the park. I have never received an update from the Park District on ANY activity at this park. I guess they think I drive there.
I have concerns about the amount of concrete that has been poured. The stands and dugouts at the ball filed look cool. Consider that the participants will be wearing spikes and the cement around the ball field becomes a slipping concern. But the risk seems no more than the alternative aluminum bleachers.
The folks in the stands at soccer and softball games will include siblings of the participants. These kids are generally left to frolic in the safty of the park. Lots of concrete steps can translate into lots of jumping and running on uneven multilevel concrete. Yeah we did it as kids but we also skeeched, rode bikes without helmets and crossed the tracks at any point we liked. We know better now.
I think it is swell that the some of the local government agencies are learning to work together.
I have a suggestion for a progressive thought about the next work together project…
The old Hines Lumber yard on Warren along the tracks is a great location for a far sighted progressive civic project that requires agencies to work together.
I would like to propose that the Hines property be taken over using eminent domain laws. Once in the hands of the always far sighted and community focused park district this location would make a great swimming pool location. To ensure success, a pool would require a foot/bike bridge over the rail road tracks to connect the existing parking at Gilbert Park. This would minimally take the Village, the Park District and IDOT. Add METRA and BNSF for good measure.
With the walkway, the location would make this location walking and bike ready for people on both sides of the tracks. A south side family visiting the pool could park or drop off the young’uns off at Gilbert Park avoiding the grueling track crossing exercise at Forest, or Main.
South siders between Belmont and Main and as far south as 55th might walk or bike to the pool.
Of course the Northies would walk to the pool. The walkway would also make the beautiful Gilbert Park complex (baseball diamond, playground forest preserve) easily available to walkers and bicyclist from the north.
Remember in the community survey, we all value that we are a community that loves to walk.
The walkway would also help connect the north and south. It is a mile and a half between Main Street and Belmont. I am sure plenty of parents would love to let their kids walk over a protected walkway rather than drive the kids to locations on the other side of the tracks ( I can dream that we will park the van/SUV)
Based on how long it took IDOT to lead and organize the institutions involved in the Belmont road crossing (Krajewski was present he did not lead) I figure something this far sighted may get done late this century. Again, I dare to dream.
To see potential bridge locations, in your browser address bar enter
http:
then enter
//maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=104814638617730867222.00048919a8f0de15cd623&z=18
You may find it in google maps, search options “user map” search
DG POOL HINES and GILBERT
Another option is use the Hines property for a new village administration building. Use the existing village hall location for a pool.
Go Hawks
Western Springs has a great below grade pedestrian crossing just east of Wolf Road and west of Gilbert, that makes crossing the tracks and busy intersections much safer for everyone.
I am shocked da Mayor can actually swim…
Mr. Daley,
I hope you’re kidding. A pool at the Hines lumber site would be ridiculous. That property is too small and to have a kid friendly place right next to the railroad tracks. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Hello Trish and all citizens,
I appreciate your concern for safety. I think part of my suggestion comes from witnessing a family struggle with two strollers to cross from the north side of the tracks to get to Gilbert Park. Yes, Mom and Dad each pushing a stroller, each stroller with a child on board and 2 kids walking. Yikes. This was over 15 years ago but it was a teaching moment for the kids with me that day.
Fenced swimming pools and water parks are quite common along railroad tracks. Just on out own BNSF line, Riverside, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale all have pools along the tracks. Follow the tracks on google maps “satellite view”. When you pull up the map you will see that the land size at these pools is similar in area to the Hines property. Remember, the protected crossing also gets you the parking that is underutized during the day at Gilbert Park.
I always liked Gilbert Park and thought it was an underutilized facility for those that live close (NORTH) that are separated by the tracks.
Trackside recreation is abundant in the form of parks, forest preserves and ball fields. City planners like to use these sort of things to soften the line between industrial and residential.
KellyDGM, a below grade crossing is a great option. My favorite is the one between for the Planetarium and Field Museum. I am sure there are engineering pros and cons about the difference between underground versus an elevated structure. The underground is likely to be more accessible to wheeled items. Over the top would be nice for train fans with cameras. Underground is the dark spooky place you don’t want you daughters using on a nice fall evening when it is dark at 6pm.
Oh and yeah da Mayor can swim. Used to go to Rainbow, and Oak Street. No Board shorts or Speedos. Cut offs or Levis were the swimwear of the day for da fellas.
Vote again.
Clarendon Hills has a pool right next to the railroad tracks and if I’m not mistaken, the property is of similar size. Maybe some smaller neighborhood pools could be an alternative to a single mega waterpark.
We have two pools in Downers Grove, join one of them!
If you look at the pedestrian underpass in Western Springs, it is well lit, and there are cameras on either side of the tracks pointed into the underpass. In other words, Mr. Stranger Danger would be visible to anyone walking into the underpass, anyone driving by the underpass, and the people watching the monitors.
I’ll be at Clarendon Hills tonight for a swim meet, I believe they have a bit more property, but will report back tomorrow. It is close to the tracks, but I am thinking its not as close as the Hines property.
Maybe they could build more townhomes there!
The Hines property seems rather narrow but the Hinsdale, Western Springs and Claredon Hills pools are not so big. I am a no on the pool debate in general due to what I fear the costs would become for resident taxpayers, but I agree that our current options in DG for swimming are dare I say sub-standard to functional at best. My guess would be the neighbors near the old Hines would not want such a busy attraction. I used to reside at Oakwood and Warren – when we were selling we had many people with children refuse to look because of the tracks, yet all the time I lived there and all the 25 years my neighbors lived there no one could remeber a child bolting for the tracks and being killed. I grew up in Beverly just east of the RI tracks and we were brought up to respect the tracks and beware of the trains. A derailment I would fear, but not kids at a pool climbing a fence that is next to the tracks.
A pedestrian crossing over or under would be great in that northwest section of town!
The creative ideas being expressed here deserve to be directed more formally to the Village’s Comprehensive Plan effort.
The web site is:
http://www.hlplanning.com/dnn/dgcompplan/Participate/tabid/1049/Default.aspx
And you can direct email to the committee and consultants via email:
tdabareiner@downers.us
We did join a pool, two of them actually. My daughter and her friends go to Cypress Cove and my son and his friends all go to Sea Lion Park. Both pools have great facilities for their respective age groups. Since so many of their friends belong to these other pools, driving isn’t an issue because there is always a car pool. The best part…buying single memberships for the kids and guest passes for me and my wife is actually affordable.
Neither of those pools are located in DG. We had a lovely evening at the Downers Grove Swim and Racquet Club last night. The club hosted a Ravinia Night with live music on the lawn and the kids swam until 9pm on a beautiful evening. The whole family was together at one location!
That sounds like a good time Trish! My family has not bought into the Norman Rockwell moment yet, they’re all about the lazy river, slides, and water cannons. But let’s stay on topic, this thread is about my old alma mater Washington School or I should say Washington Park. The park is looking great but it should for all the time and money that was spent.
Richie’s post is well thought-out and makes sense in a lot of ways. As far as the neighborhood, it seems to me if you bought a house near the tracks then the incremental amount of noise would be no big deal.
Except I detest the idea of using “eminent domain” because usually, it’s just wrong.
$800 for a 56 year old facility that has yet to be updated, including the original drainage, pipes and pumps. Dangeroius drainage in the lower pool that is out of code which still leaks 8 inches a day into Patriout Park. Wonder what the EPA might say about that with all that chemical water flowing into public space. Hines Prioperty would be ideal for a PD pool
Not sure when the last time you were at the Swim and Racquet Club, but it must not have been to recently. They are doing a great job and have been making improvements to the facility on a regular basis. My family has been enjoying the pool for many. many years. I personally have been a member since I was a small child. Why not give it a try? It beats driving to Lisle and Woodridge, you can ride your bike to DGSRC.
Trish:
I’m a member there but chose to go to another pool this year due to the cost for such an outdated facility. The tennis courts haven’t been resurfaced in over 20 years. I diodn’t say anyone was doing a bad job. The roof on the bath house is need of repair or full replacement. The lower pool still leaks 8 inches or more a day. I was there almost every day last summer with my kids. I know first hand about all the repairs and upkeep and maintaince issues. Membership is down from 800 over 4 years ago to about 400 total member families. Many former members have gone ot other neighboring pools for a lot less money and way better facilities.
EJ can we have our annual neighborhood/public vs .private pool subject matter on here? It’s been over a year and we’re due!
fth, your numbers are not accurate. Enjoy Cypress Cove and leave DGSRC alone. Your comments are unprofessional and divisive. The families in this town can make the choices that are best for them.
So why the need to bad mouth DGSRC? You have taken a memebership at another pool and that is everyones choice, but you do not need to bad mouth DGSRC in the wake of your leaving. DGSRC is a great place, my kids have always swam, taken tennis lessons, joined swim team, played shuffleboard, beach volleyball, you name it and enjoyed themselves summer after summer. Their are alot of people working very hard to increase membership and repair and replace whats needed. That’s life!
It is a 56 year old facility, which my parents were members of from the get go and of course it needs continual upgrading and work. It seems that when work needs to be done and paid for everyone goes running. My house is more that 56 years old, we have not ditched it, we do the repairs and improvements and continue to enjoy it.
Drove past Washington Park this weekend. Lots of concrete. If they were going for an “urban” look, they have appeared to have accomplished their mission. That may have been necessary to achieve the intentions of the redo, water retention for our homes.
Lets reserve judgment until its 100% complete, landscaping can certainly hide things.
I was also wondering what the impervious surface is now at Wash. Park visa vis what it was prior to construction, seeing that this whole project was for flood control.
Hey “me” what is so unprofessional about what I said? really?? It’s factual. By the way, since your so intent on calling me by my first name why not let me know who you are as well? This is a public blog and which, thanks to EJ allows us to comment on various topics. I have every right to state my opinion as does everyone else on this blog.
Trish, I am not bad mouthing the Club at all. It’s all true right? The courts have not been resurfaced in over 20 years. Fact. The lower pool leaks at least 8 inches a day. Fact , Ask Glen he can vouch for that. What about the 4 foot span of empty foundation that seperates the lower pool deck from th ground? I have seen that first hand. No need to be defensive here “Trish” and “me”. I am just stating what is true. Let me be clear. I think it’s wonderful that the club and some of it’s more active members, try each year, to continue to add bandaids to try to keep the pool going and make it look and operate as best as it can . It ‘s members like you that keep it chugging along. Hat’s off to you. But for the price of $800 and the state of the current facilities, it’s really , only in my opinion not worth it. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t join or consider it for your family. But based on other surrounding pools in our community, for the money, I don’t think it’s worth it. Just an opinion and not bad mouthing as you say.
DGDAD- Don’t know, but the lot coverage is certainly higher as the purpose has changed. Yet another example of why preventative measures are better than remedial measures, eh?
me/fromtheheart- Please stay to the topic and not each other. You both make valid points.
Thanks Mark:
“Me” is free to contact me directly on this subject if they so choose since thery apparnently know me. As far as the park. Driving by there last night, I can’t blieve the huge mound of black dirt littered with weeds that is still there after many months. The concrete bleachers remain untouched and unfinished over several weeks. What gives? Can you provide more info for us on this? Jim Tock of the PW department can be reached and provide updates. Thanks
And now back to the Washington Park topic. Some have asked. Here is what I know about stormwater impacts.
As someone whose backyard serves as backup capacity for overflow from the storm water this is what to expect. As per PD estimates yes with about 1 1/2″ rain you tend to get the overflow. It all depends on how fast and long it rains.
Don’t expect clean water like rain from the sky. It will be muddy enough that it will leave a thin film of dirt on the grass. The ensuing soccer games could be a bit dusty. With a little luck that’s all you will get. But unfortunately you also get whatever people throw into the street or directly down the storm drains. Cigarette butts are the norm but all manner of what not can be belched out into the open. If the PD hasn’t already planned for it, they should expect some extra maintenance to keep the field clean of debris. One question we should keep in mind. What is the designed rate of outflow. Hopefully this isn’t strong enough to put young children at risk as water drains back into the system.
But it’s not all bad. The grass grows quite well and thickly even through most droughts. And when there is water in the basin a sudden transformation takes place. It’s not unusual to see ducks appear from nowhere and swim around accompanied by dragonflies buzzing the swamp which then drains away in a matter of hours. All in all this has always seemed like a good dual use of land.
Today’s Reporter newspaper commented on the most up to date status of both parks. As far as McCullum Park, “the amount and type of top soil to be used” REALLY? I was told by a PD employee it had to do with the GC setting the drainage grates too high so that when they do core airation on the field, they didn’t want to damage the pipes or grates or the undergroud sprinkler system in place and that the PD and Villiage or PW were in a disagreement as to who was going to pay for the huge change order. This pushed the completion date to Mid August. That’s almost two whole summers without use of this area of the park.
Fromtheheart, do you watch the tv show “Parks and Recreation?” I feel like I’ve been living next to “the pit” forever. And no one tells us anything. Construction delays happen; I’m not an unreasonable person. But TELL US what’s going on.
It’s the nonchalance that is killing me. And I feel sorry for anyone trying to sell their house right now, too. What should be a selling point (lovely nearby park) is an eyesore and a difficulty.